To CIAC Student Athletes:

The CIAC has provided this document so that you, the student athlete, might have the means to be informed both of the CIAC bylaws and your rights under those bylaws. This is also your personal copy of the Rules of Eligibility and Control with which all member schools and their athletes are required to comply. You and your parents or legal guardian, are strongly urged both to read this document carefully to acquaint yourselves with the important information it contains, and to save it for future reference. This document does not purport to list all CIAC athletic policies or regulations. Those can be found in the CIAC Handbook, a copy of which has been distributed to all member high schools.

ATHLETES’ RIGHTS OF DUE PROCESS

There may come a time when, because of special circumstances, an athlete either commits an act, or fails to perform a duty, which results in his/her being declared ineligible to compete in a high school sport. In some cases, exceptions to the eligibility rules can be granted. All athletes have the right to the due process procedures listed below in seeking to have their eligibility restored.

Step 1. The athlete should first discuss the matter with the appropriate coach or athletic

director. If it is felt that the circumstances of the case warrant a request for the

rule, the high school principal should be informed

Step 2.The high school principal then requests in writing to the CIAC Eligibility Committee

that the matter be examined and an exception granted. Address of the committee:

30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410.

Step 3. The CIAC Eligibility Committee will examine the facts of the case at its next regular

meeting. The committee has the right to require that medical reports and/or other

relevant documentation be provided.

Step 4.If the appeal is denied, the student’s ineligibility remains in force for the period

required in the regulations. The school has the right to request a hearing on the

denial before the Eligibility Review Board. If the Eligibility Committee decides that

the circumstances of the case merit an exception, the matter will be forwarded to the

Eligibility Review Board. In both cases the Eligibility Review Board will conduct a

full hearing on the matter at its next scheduled meeting. Meeting time lines will be

followed. At that time, the athlete, parents of the athlete, school representatives, and

any other persons that may help to represent the athlete’s case may appear and

present evidence before the Eligibility Review Board. The Board has the right to

require presentation of medical reports, financial data or other relevant documentation.

Step 5.The Eligibility Review Board will, following a full hearing and proper consideration of

the facts of the case, render its decision, either to grant or deny the requested exception

or to uphold the decision of the Eligibility Committee. If the exception is granted, the

athlete’s eligibility is restored immediately and retroactively. If it is denied, the

student’s eligibility remains in force for the period required in the regulations.

In all matters of athletic eligibility, the decision of the Eligibility Review Board are final except where the CIAC Board of Control reserves the right to review and act upon those cases which the Board of Control considers worthy of its attention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Important numbers and Sports Offered 1

Athletic Policy2

Coach/Player Concerns3

Expectations of Athletes4

Eligibility Rules5

Grade Reminders6

Athletic Insurance Program7

Sunday Practice & Transfer of Sports8

Return from Injury/Sickness9

Athletic Guidelines 10

Concussion Management 11,12

Chemical Health Policy 13,14,15

Substance Abuse Policy 16,17

Letter Requirements 18-22

Disqualification & Ejection Rule 23

Athletic Code24

Philosophy of Coaching Levels25

Health Notes26

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

IMPORTANT NAMES & NUMBERS

School Phone Numbers ...... Main Office 379-8521

A.D. Office 379-3721

Superintendent ...... Dr. David Cressy 379-8521

Principal ...... Daniel Hatch 379-8521

Associate Principal ...... Joseph Dombrowski 379-8521

Athletic Director ...... Michael Gamari 379-3721

Assistant Athletic Director Patrick Cook

School Nurse ...... Kelli Gilbert 379-8521

Athletic Trainer...... Bob Snyder 379-8521

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SPORT OFFERINGS
Boys Girls

Fall Cross Country Cross Country

Football Cheerleading

Soccer Soccer

Volleyball

Winter Basketball Basketball

Swimming (Coed) Cheerleading (Coed)

Wrestling Swimming (Coed)

Spring Baseball Golf (Coed)

Golf (Coed) Softball

Tennis Tennis

Track Track

1.

ATHLETIC POLICY

The athletics program of The Gilbert School is essential to the school’s program of instruction and is based on gender equity. It provides an opportunity for students to have fun, test themselves, and (win or lose) to be the best they can be. It is guided by the philosophy of the school as founded by William L. Gilbert for the purpose of “. . .educating the young . . .to help them become good citizens”.

This program’s philosophy is based on the following key components from the basic philosophy statement of The Gilbert School:

To be concerned with the development of the entire student: his/her physical, intellectual, emotional, and social growth.

To prepare our students in the life skills necessary to survive, succeed, and contribute to their community.

To present a curriculum that will provide a challenge for students at all levels, giving all students responsibility, accountability, and active participation in their education.

Beyond the basic philosophy of The Gilbert School the athletics program incorporates the following goals:

To understand participation is a privilege and carries responsibilities to the school, the activity, the student body, the community, and oneself.

To affirm that a sportsman is one who plays fair and can win or lose with grace.

To see that the interest, needs, and well-being of students is balanced with the student’s responsibility to fulfill the demands of team membership.

To strive to provide the opportunity for all interested students to participate.

To provide a bridge between what an athlete is doing in the game and what is necessary in the game of their lives.

To balance mental activities with physical exertion.

To acknowledge that all competitors are winners when:

They did their best

They had a good experience

They learned or grew from their experience

They handled winning or losing well.

2.

COACH/PLAYER CONCERN

If you have a concern to discuss with a coach, use the following procedure.

  1. Afford your son or daughter the opportunity to discuss the issue with his/her coach. Many times, these types of meetings may resolve an issue or concern.
  1. If your son or daughter’s meeting with coach did not resolve the issue, call to set up an appointment to meet with the coach.
  1. If the coach cannot be reached, call the Athletic Director at 379-3721.
  1. Please do not attempt to confront a coach before or after a contest or practice.

These can be emotional times for both the parent and the coach. Meetings of this

Nature do not promote resolution.

  1. If the meeting with the coach did not provide a satisfactory resolution, call and set up an appointment to meet with the Director of Athletics to discuss the situation.
  1. If the meeting with the Director of Athletics did not provide a satisfactory resolution, call and set up an appointment to meet with the building Principal to discuss the situation.
  1. If the meeting with the Principal did not provide a satisfactory resolution, contact the school office and set up a meeting with the Superintendent.

3.

EXPECTATIONS OF ATHLETES

For the privilege of participating in athletics, all athletes must realize that more is expected of them than of other students in school. As an athlete at The Gilbert School, you will be expected to make many sacrifices. Please read the following information carefully.

If you feel the rules are too demanding, if you feel you will not be able to say “NO” when pressured by friends to break the rules, if you feel the price is too great, if you feel your personal rights are too sacred to conform to the demands, please do not plan to be a member of an athletic team at Gilbert.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE EXPECTATIONS LISTED BELOW MAY RESULT IN TEMPORARY OR PERMANENT SUSPENSION FROM AN ATHLETIC TEAM.

All team members are expected to be well groomed, hair must be well trimmed and no outrageous styles, like mohawks or shaved heads, are permitted. Beards must be well trimmed, neat and clean.

All team members are expected and must be in school by 9:05 a.m. on game days – unless excused by the principal.

All team members are expected to treat opponents, officials, coaches and spectators with respect, and show respect and sound judgment in the classroom.

A student who is dismissed or voluntarily leaves a team after final cuts are made, will not be permitted to become a member of another school team during that sport season. Special cases will be reviewed by the coaches involved and the director of athletics.

Individual coaches may have rules and regulations beyond what the Code book specifies. All additional rules must be approved by the Athletic Director.

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ALL SCHOOL EQUIPMENT MUST BE CARED FOR BY THE ATHLETE.

  1. ATHLETES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL EQUIPMENT ISSUED TO THEM AND WILL BE HELD FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EQUIPMENT NOT RETURNED OR DAMAGED.
  1. ANY STUDENT WITH AN OBLIGATION TO THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OTHER SPORT UNTIL THE OBLIGATIONIS CLEARED.

4.

ELIGIBILITY RULES

ATTENTION ATHLETES - YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE:

1. If you are not taking at least five (5) units of work;

2. If you have not passed at least four (4) units or the equivalent at the

end of the last regular marking period;

3. If you have reached your 20th birthday; a student will not be allowed to start a

season, or compete during a season in which his/her 20th birthday falls;

4. If you have changed schools without a legal change of residence;

5. If you have played eight (8) consecutive semesters or four (4) consecutive years of

eligibility from the date of entry into the 9th grade;

  1. If you play or practice with an outside team in the same sport while a

member of the school team after the first scheduled game in any season;

The exceptions:

a. participation in parent-child tournaments and caddy tournaments;

b. swimming, tennis, gymnastics – a pupil may practice but not

compete with a non-CIAC team during the season.

7. If you play under an assumed name on an outside team;

  1. If you receive personal economic gain for participation in any CIAC sport.

All team members must adhere to the following:

Eligibility Rules, Grades, Guidelines and Abuse Policy

5.

GRADE REMINDERS

1. Marking period grades (not semester grades) are to be used in determining scholastic eligibility to participate in inter-scholastic athletics during any given marking period.

2. To be eligible for a Fall sport a pupil MUST HAVE RECEIVED CREDIT toward GRADUATION for FOUR units of work for which he/she has not previously received credit. FINAL GRADE AVERAGES determine Fall eligibility NOT 4th QUARTER grades.

3. Scholastic incompletes must be made up within ten (10) school days following the end of the marking period. INCOMPLETE GRADES ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AS PASSING GRADES.

  1. Scholastic failures cannot be made up for eligibility purposes in any manner until the next report – except during an approved summer program.
ATTENDANCE

Each team member is expected to be present at each practice session and game, unless absent from school or personally excused by the coach.

A student must be in attendance in school by 9:05 in order to participate in team practice or contest that day, unless excused by the principal.

It is the head coaches daily responsibility to check the student absentee list.

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A student becomes “INELIGIBLE” to participate in athletics if he or she has not passed 4 subjects the previous quarter, with the exception of the 4th quarter – year end grades are used.

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Student eligibility will be determined for all students on the date that report cards are distributed, or on the fourteenth calendar day following the end of the marking period, whichever comes first.

6.

THE GILBERTSCHOOL ATHLETIC INSURANCE PROGRAM

** IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARENTS **

The GilbertSchool has purchased, at no cost to you, an Accident Medical Insurance Plan to help cover medical expenses resulting from interscholastic sport injuries.

All players, coaches and managers of every interscholastic sport (including cheerleading) are covered throughout the entire school year. The program covers accidental bodily injuries occurring to a covered person while participating in, or traveling while under the supervision of proper school authority, to or from any regularly scheduled game or practice of an interscholastic sport.

THIS IS A SECONDARY ACCIDENT INSURANCE ONLY –

DOES NOT COVER SICKNESS

The Medical Expense Benefit of the Program is an excess/secondary type benefit. If the injured covered person’s expense or treatment are covered under “no-fault” automobile insurance or any other medical coverage (such as Blue Cross or Blue Shield) which provides benefits or services for, or by reason of, medical or dental care or treatment, then this program will pay only the medical expenses not reimbursable under the other coverage.

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TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

The students participating on GilbertSchool athletic teams shall travel to and from athletic contest in transportation provided by the school, unless in a rare occasion, permission is granted by the coach - with the approval of the principal or athletic director - to have the student return with the parent. A written request must be shown prior to approval.

We always have had excellent relations with our transportation companies. Keep up the good work and remember to represent our school with class and dignity in all of our away performances.

7.

SUNDAY PRACTICES & TRANSFER OF SPORTS

SUNDAY PRACTICES –

A. Only after 1:00 p.m.

B. Must be made optional

C. On consent of Athletic Director and Principal

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS –

No practice or games on State or National holidays unless absolutely necessary.

TRANSFERRING TO ANOTHER SPORT –

A student athlete will be allowed to transfer to another sport only if:

A. Both coaches are in agreement

B. It is done prior to the first scheduled contest of either team.

  1. All equipment obligations are met.
  2. Athletic Director and coaches are in agreement.

8.

RETURN FROM INJURY/SICKNESS

If any athlete is out for an extended time due to illness or sickness, at least two organized practices are a must to determine health and status of individual, prior to returning to game performance.

A. Vacations: Vacations by athletic team members during a sport season are discouraged. Parents/athletes wishing to do so may wish to reassess their commitment to being an athlete. In the event of an absence due to a vacation is unavoidable, an athlete must –

  1. Be accompanied by his/her parents while on vacation;
  2. Contact the head coach prior to the vacation;
  3. Be willing to assume the consequences related to their status on that squad as a starter, 2nd string, 3rd string, etc., or miss number of games equal to being

played over vacation.

B. Squad Selection: In accordance with our philosophy of athletics and our desire to see as many students as possible participate in the athletic program while at Gilbert, we encourage coaches to keep as many students as they can without unbalancing the integrity of their sport. Time, space, facilities, equipment, personal preference and other factors will place limitations on the most effective squad size for any particular sport.

C. Cutting Procedure: Choosing the members of athletic squads is the sole responsibility of the coaches of those squads.

Prior to trying out, the coach shall provide the following information to all candidates for the team –

  1. Extent of try-out period;
  2. Criteria used to select the team;
  3. Number to be selected;
  4. Practice commitment if they make the team;
  5. Game commitments.

When a squad cut becomes a necessity, the process will include three important

elements. Each candidate shall have –

  1. Competed in a minimum of three practice sessions;
  2. Performed in at least one intra-squad game;
  3. Have a list posted of roster selections, and if you desire personally informed of the cut by the coach, including the reason for the action.

9.

ATHLETIC GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES:

All state and federal laws must be obeyed. An athlete who is formally charged with a felony will be suspended from all interscholastic activities. This suspension will be a minimum of one week while the case if reviewed by the Coach/AD/Principal. After one week it will be determined whether or not the student should be permitted to continue to represent The Gilbert School, or stay suspended until resolution of the charges. A final review will then take place. It is the responsibility of the player to notify the Coach/AD of the charges.

HAZING/BULLYING POLICY

It is the position of the Board that hazing and bullying are inconsistent with the philosophy of the GilbertSchool and will not be tolerated. Permission, consent, or assumption of risk by an individual subject to hazing/bullying does not lessen the prohibition contained in this policy.

No administrator, faculty member, student, employee or volunteer of The Gilbert School will plan, encourage, permit, condone, tolerate, or engage in any hazing/bullying activities

Everyone, including parents, must be alert to possible situations which are or may lead to hazing/bullying activities. Anyone with knowledge of a possible or actual hazing/bullying activity is required to report the incident immediately to a school administrator. Anyone who believes that he/she has been the victim of hazing/bullying is encouraged to report the incident(s) to a school administrator.

Anyone failing to abide by this policy may be subject to disciplinary action and may be liable for civil and criminal penalties in accordance with state law.

PRACTICE ATTENDANCE:

In order to obtain full benefits from the sport and to be of greatest value to the team, an athlete should participate in all practice sessions. Absences not excused by the coach may result in a one game suspension. Continued unexcused absences will result in dismissal from the team. It is the athletes responsibility to explain all absences from practices or games prior to their occurrence, unless such absence is health related.